By Melinda Tucker
Kids4Kids was officially Certified Awesome by SA2020 as contributing to our vision for the future of San Antonio. To learn more about SA2020’s endorsement process, click here.
On November 8, 2014, Kids4Kids, a benefit performance raised funds and awareness for unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children that took place at The Playhouse San Antonio. Sadly, children are fleeing extreme violence, oppression, trafficking, and abuse in unprecedented numbers, with over 66,000 minors crossing the Southwest Border illegally in fiscal year 2014, a dramatic 88% increase over the prior year. These children are making their journey alone, entering a country with no family, no place to go, with nothing more to sustain them than the hope of a better life.
With a performance program made up entirely of youth performers, Kids4Kids’ goal was to not only serve as a benefit, but also to aid our own local children in developing qualities of compassion, charity, and empathy, while doing something truly beneficial for fellow children. Acts included 88 youth from all over San Antonio with a wide variety of cultural and ethnic demonstrations, singing, dancing, and visual arts including:
- Masters of Ceremonies: Twins, Charlie and Michael Weiner
- The Playhouse Conservatory
- Trilogy Dance Center
- Mariachi Juvenil from Irving Academy of Performing Arts
- Inishfree Irish dancers
- Dee Angel Choir of Antioch Baptist Church
- Renaissance Guild
- Anani Rhames, Mariachi soloist
- San Antonio Dance Academy
- Sandra and Emily Moon, sisters and Yosa members, piano and violin duet
- Kids4Kids Ensemble
- Stage Backdrop created St. Phillips College art students
Funds raised during Kids4Kids directly benefits St. PJ’s Children’s Home and RAICES, two charities on the front lines of this immigration crisis. The critical funds will support housing, clothing, counseling, nutrition, education, legal process and much more. The performance event was underwritten and sponsored by Shannon Sedgwick Davis and Sam Davis Foundation and Pioneer Energy Services. In addition to ticket sales, a crowd funding site, CrowdRise, raised $1360, bringing the total raised from the event to $11,217.
Asia Ciaravino, CEO of The Playhouse San Antonio
Co-Producers for Kids4Kids were The Playhouse San Antonio, Dr. Tova Rubin and myself. Asia Ciaravino, The Playhouse San Antonio CEO, was proud for The Playhouse San Antonio to be involved because Kids4Kids gives student artists the opportunity to use their creative power as a means of teaching empathy and building awareness about children around the world that need support. The children involved in the show are able to use their gifts as performers to connect to a bigger purpose. We hope that all of the children involved in K4K learn how to use their talents for the good of the community. Giving back is the key to building better communities.
Dr. Tova Rubin
Dr. Tova Rubin had the original idea for Kids4Kids because of the growing humanitarian crisis this past summer with the large number of unaccompanied immigrants needing immediate safe shelter, clothing, nutrition, legal aid, and counseling. Tova writes, “nothing is more rewarding than being able to enjoy the journey toward a meaningful goal. Kids4Kids has been just that. Working with the Playhouse, Melinda Tucker and the talented children has been a pleasure. Raising awareness and funds for children in need has been extremely meaningful. I am deeply grateful to all of the parents and group directors who helped prepare the kids for this show. Giving children the opportunity to appreciate what they have and give to those less fortunate has been a powerful mission. I am honored to be a part of Kids4Kids!”
I was inspired to co-produce Kids4Kids because of the sad and growing statistics of unaccompanied minors fleeing their homes because of violence and oppression. As a mother, I can’t imagine the heart wrenching decision to send my child thousands of miles away in search of safety because of the dire circumstances at home. My heart breaks for these children here alone and I feel its my moral obligation to do what I can to help them. St. PJ’s Home and RAICES are two amazing organizations working tirelessly to support these children by providing a safe shelter, immediate counseling, nutrition, education, love and legal support.
Kids4Kids is thankful and honored to be officially Certified Awesome by SA2020! The event is best aligned with the indicators in the SA2020 Cause Areas(s):
Increase Funding for Arts and Culture
Increase Attendance for Arts and Culture
Increase Economic Impact of Arts and Culture
Improve Satisfaction with Arts and Culture
Increase Volunteerism
Increase Philanthropic Giving
